Over the years, Susan showed her deep love for Jeff by standing by his side, even in moments when his life was in danger.
Jeff Bridges has enjoyed a career in the entertainment industry spanning over six decades, working as an actor, producer, and singer. While filming a hot tub scene for the 1975 movie “Rancho Deluxe” at Chico Hot Springs in Montana, Jeff encountered his future wife, Susan “Sue” Geston.
When Jeff first laid eyes on Susan, he was captivated, despite her broken nose and black eye, injuries she had sustained in a car accident. He was immediately drawn to her, unable to look away.
Jeff later reflected on how he was mesmerized by the combination of her beauty and her disfigurement. It was “love at first sight” for him. Like a curious child, he kept glancing at her while filming, though she repeatedly caught him staring. He admitted:
“I didn’t know if she was a maid or a waitress; I just couldn’t take my eyes off her.”
He found her stunning, and the contrast between her beauty and her injuries intrigued him. After the shoot, the star of “The Big Lebowski” mustered up the courage to ask her out.
Susan humorously declined but suggested they might cross paths again since she lived in a small town. Destiny had its way, and they did meet again, leading to a night of dancing where Jeff fell deeply in love.
The next day, Jeff had an appointment with a local real estate agent to view some properties and invited Susan along. They visited a ranch house by the river, which turned out to be their first date. At that moment, Jeff felt that he was looking at his future home with his “future wife.”
Although the thought made him anxious, Jeff realized he couldn’t let go of the love of his life. However, he was also scared of commitment, unsure if he and Susan would have the enduring relationship that his parents did. He confessed:
“For a while, I was scared of getting married. It felt like it brought me one step closer to death.”
In time, Jeff learned to embrace this fear as part of life. His biggest concern was losing his freedom, but after two years of hesitation, he finally proposed. He figured that if things didn’t work out, they could always divorce.
But what Jeff didn’t anticipate was forming an even stronger connection with Susan, one that would include children, grandchildren, and other precious experiences that only marriage could bring. Although the decision was daunting, his heart was fully open.
By 2020, the actor, then 70, had been married to Susan for 43 years. He shared that they had grown into different people over the years but maintained a relationship built on mutual respect. Rather than allowing their differences to drive them apart, they celebrated what made them unique.
